THE leadership of the KZN E-Hailing Council, an organization that fights for the rights of drivers who use pay-as-you-go vehicles, has expressed concern about the attacks on drivers.
This comes after the incident on Wednesday, where one of the drivers of these vehicles was seen being harassed with guns belonging to the security company, On Call Security, which is said to monitor the work of the taxi industry in this area.
In this video circulating on social media, it can be seen that the driver’s car was forcibly stopped by three men, but the driver who was carrying the passengers did not stop. The security guards who were blocking the road could be heard shouting hoarse words, asking the driver what was going on, but he could not hear because he had been told that he did not work in this area. They were also heard asking the passengers why they were riding this car.
One of the suspects was also seen shooting at the tire of the toll car that had gone a long way, then it swerved to hit the security guard who was blocking the road in front. Suspects armed with guns continued to forcefully open the doors, quoting the driver by the clothes he was wearing, while another pointed a gun at him, asking if he heard when he was told to stop the car.
The men continue to disturb the passengers in the car and continue to beat the driver asking him if he realizes that he has hit their car.
The Chairman of the KZN E-Hailing Council, Mr. Mzo Ngcobo, said that what happened to the drivers of these vehicles was worrying, but that of KwaNdengezi was extreme.
He said that their harassment started to get worse last year, and he said that since then the drivers of these vehicles in this area have been encountering problems.
“We are worried about this because it finally shows that these people do not want to be used even though the Ministry (of Transport) said that it should be used. This means that there will be no peace even if we are told to sit down with them, they will not listen,” said Ngcobo.
He said that after being informed about the incident on Wednesday, he went to Kwa Ndengezi police station and found that the driver had come to file a case.
“I arrived when he was gone. However, I heard from the women who were riding in the car that when he went to open a case at the police station, he found that the security guards had arrived first to open theirs as well,” said Ngcobo.
He went on to say that they slept on Wednesday after receiving reports that the driver is receiving threats to drop the case or he will be taken to jail.
“We found out that he is really thinking of canceling it, but we thank the department for intervening and saying that even if he can cancel it, he will continue it because the attackers took out their guns in public. That gives us hope because we also want this case to go to court so we can see the end,” he said.
He said they are worried that their abuse which was seen last year is still going on.
In a statement sent to the media by the Ministry of Transport in the province, Mecector Mr. Siboniso Duma said he wishes to inform the public that the three security guards who were seen wielding guns, attacking the driver of a toll car and the female passengers, were besieged by Sigonyela’s bracelets.
“Three security guards have been arrested. Three guns have been seized by the police. The one used in the attack will be investigated separately. The police will also investigate the security company involved,” said Duma.
He urged the body that controls the operation of security companies, the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA), to take strict action against those who appear to be in violation of the law that regulates the operation of security guards (Private Security Industry Regulation Act).
He said they are in the process of getting psychological counseling for the driver as well as the female passengers.
He said his office met the family of the driver concerned and worked well with the leadership of the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) and the KwaNdengezi association to intervene in the matter immediately.